2.08.2008

We'll Be Right Back

Often I'm asked "how do you find the time?" when it comes to this blog. Honestly, I don't really know. I never have a good answer to that question, so the person asking the question tends to leave flustered. Obviously, I don't give them what they were looking for. Straight up, most of the posts on this blog are created long before I post them. I then eek out time here and there, updating and adding new things to the draft until I find it necessary to finally post it. Some posts take months to write out. Some are done in minutes. The key factor is finding the time. And now, I'm afraid, I do not have the time. At all.

I'm putting a halt to The Ward-O-Matic for the time being. Whenever I've taken a break in the past, it seems like a good idea at the time, but I never adhere to it. I tend to post something, anything -- just so long as it seems like I'm still alive and/or give off the impression that I care about this blog thing. I guess that's pretty much what motivates me to keep blogging, though -- I feel I have an obligation to fulfill. And I want to share my stuff. Again, I always manage to find the time to sit and write a bit, scan a book (or two), post neato links, etc. Because I love doing this, I'll always manage to find the time.

Be that as it may, this time it's different. I'm about to embark on a ambitious job and it's going to stretch and pull me in ways that I've never been stretched or pulled before. I don't want to go so far as calling it a "make or break" situation, but, to quote De La Soul: "stakes is high". All extraneous time will be devoted to this particular job -- no time to blog or upload scans to my Flickr. A total and complete lockdown, people. Should be interesting.

It's odd for me to say goodbye for a while, but I know it's necessary. I don't even want to do a short, "I'm still here!" post, either. I fear that if I keep that door open, it'll only keep me from doing what I need to do at this point, and that's to focus all my energy and efforts on this job. I know you all understand. I'll still check out blogs and such, but I probably won't comment. I can't say I'll get back in touch with you if you email me, either. I'm still debating whether or not I'll keep my Facebook updated. At any rate, just wanted to let you all know that for the next three months, there won't be any new updates here.

Never fear, though! Once I'm back, it'll be as if I've never left. I promise.

See ya in May.

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One thing before I go, I'll be speaking at IUPUI on Tuesday, February 12th (right around the corner). Check this link for more info. This'll be my second time speaking there. My ol' Primal buddy, Brian Ludwick has asked me to come back to speak, and I appreciate the great honor in doing so. Can't wait.

All the best Ward. Thanks for all the inspiration in getting my online presence to the point at which one day soon I hope I'll have to take an extended break because I'm too busy with real life too!Or something like that.

You don't know me, my name is Jared and I live in Ohio. I visited Portland last year for the Zine Symposium, and while I was out there my friend told me about LAIKA, and your blog, and I've been reading ever since. Just wanted to let you know that your posts are always inspirational, (mid-century design, graff art and hip hop? damn) and you will be missed. Good luck with everything.

With regards to taking months to write posts: I remember your panic to get your review of the Ottowa Animation Festival completed before the next year's festival. ;o) You always have your priorities straight, so I'll accept this Wardomatic hiatus without any threatening grumbling. Take care, and good luck with your projects! I can't wait to see what you've been working on!

I am a Flickr contact of both you and your wife and have enjoyed your blog for a while. I am surprised & delighted that you are speaking in my hometown of Indianapolis on Tuesday night....(who ever comes HERE?) I'm looking forward to it!

thank you for all the great times!i took your recommendation + went to the mary blair exhibit at the cartoon art museum a couple weeks ago with my little mod*tot. it's a small but fun collection + you can find all of those images + plus hudreds more by searching flickr (703 when i checked).

See, this is where the Twitter thingie comes in handy. You can't post more than 140-characters at a time, so you keep things quick and simple. You keep the meaty stuff for your blog, but the smaller stuff can always just go to Twitter. Join the dark side!! :)